As protests gather strength, Nasheed supporters ask for international scrutiny of Maldivian judiciary

Feb 16, 2013, 01.52PM ISTTNN[ Arun Ram ]

MALE: Protests are brewing stronger in the Maldivian capital following the arrest threat against deposed president and Maldivian Democratic Party leader Mohamed Nasheed, who has taken refuge in the Indian high commission in Male. The MDP, meanwhile, has asked for international scrutiny of the Maldivian judiciary, which it thinks is plotting to keep Nasheed out of the race in September.

After more than 5,000 Maldivians took to the streets demanding the ouster of president Waheed Hassan Manik and setting up of a caretaker government on Thursday night, the MDP has decided to organise protests every night. "We will mobilise people every night to ensure that Nasheed gets justice and is allowed to contest the presidential election," MDP chairperson Reeko Moosa Manik told TOI.

Nasheed fears that he would be arrested by the Waheed government if he comes out of the Indian high commission. Nasheed faces charges of kidnapping in connection with the arrest of the chief judge of the criminal court last year. Nasheed, who became the first democratically elected Maldivian president ini 2008, had said that he was forced to resign by some conspirators after protestors turned violent last year after the judge's arrest.

The MDP chairperson said the special court set up to try Nasheed is unconstitutional. ""As per the Constitution, the special court should be approved by a judicial panel. This was not followed," he told TOI on Saturday, calling for international scrutiny. "There are widespread allegations even outside Maldives that the judiciary here is not impartial. Let an international panel like the International Court of Justice look at the system here and decide," he said. Meanwhile, the Common wealth and European Union (EU) had on Friday called for a credible and inclusive presidential election in the Maldives. "I call on all parties to refrain from actions or statements which are liable to inflame the political climate in the country," EU High Representative Catherine Ashton said in a statement.

The present protests are reminiscent of last year's rebellion which resulted in Nasheed's ouster. On Friday night, anit-riot police and the military blocked protestors from moving towards the president's residents on Orchid Magu. A few people were injured when police used force. A few others were arrested. Male seems to be bracing for noisier nights as the protestors gather strength.